Metropolis Merlyn Group Building, reception room.
Malcolm, who was originally the owner of this building, had always exuded the graceful and composed demeanor of a successful person.
But at this moment, as he entered the reception room, he was worried, his eyes filled with unease, appearing completely different from the confident man who always held his head high before.
Upon entering the reception room, he found a figure sitting on the sofa.
The other party, bathed in dark shadows, sat facing him, radiating an indescribable aura.
Malcolm, who had originally reined in his confidence and pride, showed a hint of surprise and tension when facing the woman sitting on the comfortable sofa.
"Mr. Merlyn, I thought you would be guarding your lair so late, I didn't expect you to still have the leisure to go out."
A slightly hoarse voice came from the woman's throat.
The woman on the sofa leaned forward slightly, allowing her face to be illuminated by the moonlight, revealing a stunning appearance.
The woman had curly brown hair, exquisite and defined features, and her cold gaze turned towards Malcolm.
"It's regrettable that my father cannot come personally, so I can only represent him to witness Gotham's rebirth and destruction. Although I am not very keen on such matters, one sometimes cannot help but be involved."
The woman leaned back slightly, speaking in a lazy and seductive voice.
Seeing Malcolm enter, she made no move to stand up, seemingly not putting him in her eyes.
"I am filled with respect and gratitude for Ninja Master. It is precisely because of Ninja Master's teachings and guidance, and his excellent wisdom, that I emerged from my inner fear and pain, and gradually understood the meaning of life."
Malcolm bowed slightly, adopting a respectful attitude.
Judging solely from his expression, one would never guess that he had completely sold out Ninja Master in front of Eric earlier.
Facing the legendary Ninja Master's daughter, Malcolm deliberately hid his true capabilities, portraying himself as incompetent and cowardly in her eyes.
"I have been diligently advancing Ninja Master's plan. However, I have recently encountered some obstacles. The Queen family in Star City has been targeting me everywhere, and my attention is limited."
"Then eliminate them!"
The woman stared at him with cold eyes, "The League of Assassins' creed is to eliminate enemies who dare to oppose us! For the survival and evolution of humanity, we must use intense violent means to eradicate stubborn viruses and rotten limbs, and sometimes... even more violent means!"
While speaking to Malcolm, a hint of disdain for Malcolm flashed in the woman's eyes.
She had heard from her father that Malcolm was called "The Magician," and was the most charismatic, distinguished, calm, and confident person within the League of Assassins.
But now, after a conversation with him, she found that the man in front of her was somewhat unworthy of his reputation.
Talia al Ghul, the daughter of the League of Assassins' Ninja Master, and also Batman's future ex-lover; the fourth Robin, Damian, was born to her and Batman.
As the daughter of the League of Assassins' leader, Talia was trained to be a shrewd leader and a decisive successor.
At this time, she had just finished her world tour of training and returned to Metropolis.
"If you have doubts, then, Mr. Merlyn, the task you are undertaking will be handed over to me!"
Talia said to Malcolm.
"Just you alone?"
Malcolm asked somewhat doubtfully.
He remembered the non-human existence like Eric that he had just witnessed, his eyes flickered, and he said, "Besides those people in Gotham, there are also some restless forces. Their power exceeds our imagination, and I don't think this can be resolved well."
Talia stood up from the sofa and said calmly, "I didn't come alone this time; I also brought the Shadow Clan."
During her travels around the world, she heard that her father had found an excellent successor and had perfectly cultivated him.
That wealthy young master from Gotham was unwilling to enjoy the extravagant life of the rich, choosing instead a path of coexistence and battle with criminals.
Ninja Master, her father, tried to train that man to be his successor, or an indestructible blade, making him an explosive chess piece in Gotham.
Gotham had already bred too much corruption and evil; such a completely fallen city had no reason to exist at all.
Just as they had done to those cities—Rome and London—Gotham would be reborn from the ashes, and then a new city, untainted by evil, would grow.
The woman stood in the dark night, watching the silent Malcolm, her eyes revealing surging ambition.
As her father's daughter, she had never received her father's attention and recognition. As a woman who wanted to prove herself, she hoped to achieve great feats to show her father that her abilities matched her status.
As the most excellent successor, her value had to exceed that of Bruce Wayne of Gotham.
...
Christmas night.
Kent Farm.
Eric stood with his arms crossed, observing the stickers of a charitable Santa Claus and a red-nosed reindeer on the hallway.
These stickers were put up by Clark in advance.
Jonathan and Martha went to grandma's house for Christmas, so now only Eric and Clark were home.
Although it was a bit quiet, due to Clark's preparations, the Christmas atmosphere wasn't too bleak.
"The peanut butter cookies are ready!"
Clark, wearing gloves, took the baked cookies out of the oven and placed them on the table.
The long dining table was laden with cookies, a three-layer pizza, a roasted turkey, and various fruits.
"This is the first time I've discovered, Clark, that you have a talent for cooking."
Eric said calmly, looking at Clark holding the butter cookies.
"This is also the first time I've discovered it. Although it's a bit unfamiliar for the first attempt, I estimate I'll adapt very quickly."
Clark shrugged and said.
After taking off his gloves, he asked Eric, "Was that Dad and Mom on the phone just now?"
"Yes. It's normal to worry when celebrating Christmas for the first time without parents."
Eric said, picking up a green leafy vegetable by his hand, "After all, this is the first time."
"Yes, the first time."
Clark repeated the phrase, sat down, and began to enjoy the Christmas dinner he had prepared for a long time.
The two sat opposite each other, quietly savoring the food.
"Actually, I have a Christmas gift prepared."
Clark suddenly produced a book from somewhere, "Merry Christmas, Eric!"
Eric took the book from Clark's hand with some surprise, and stared blankly at the beautifully wrapped book with the words "cthulhu Appreciation and Evaluation" on its cover.
He hadn't expected Clark to give him a Christmas gift.
Usually, on Christmas, it was their parents who gave him and Clark Christmas gifts.
"Didn't you have a birthday earlier? But at that time, I was doing some idiotic things in Metropolis and couldn't prepare a birthday gift for you, so I'm sorry... Let this Christmas gift be a combined gift with your birthday gift, and also... thank you for your previous help to me."
Clark explained to Eric while thanking him.
At the same time, he felt a little guilty. This wasn't a Christmas gift he had specially prepared for Eric, but a birthday gift he had prepared in advance last time that he hadn't been able to give due to an accident, so he had kept it until now.
Stroking the gift in his hand, Eric's mood was somewhat complex.
A special Christmas and Christmas gift?
"Merry Christmas, Clark."
After a while, Eric looked up at his older brother, speaking in a somewhat unnatural tone.
But he quickly concealed his abnormal emotions.
"Sorry, Clark, I didn't specially prepare any Christmas gift."
Eric thought for a moment, then took an octagonal metal piece from his pocket and handed it to Clark, "But I think this can be your Christmas gift."
The octagonal metal piece was the key to the Krypton spaceship, and Clark understood its preciousness.
Surprised, he looked at the octagonal metal piece Eric handed over and asked somewhat astonished, "Is this okay? I know how precious this thing is. If it's in my hands, I don't know if I will..."
He wanted to say that he was still unsure if he could completely escape the control of his biological father, Jor-El. Was it really okay for him to control the spaceship's key now?
"The fact that you could transform from a scoundrel wearing a red kryptonite ring into a farm cowboy Clark shows that you have made your choice, so there's no need to worry about being controlled by Jor-El again."
Eric said casually while enjoying the turkey on the dining table.
After giving the Christmas gift to Clark, he refocused his attention on the Christmas dinner in front of him.
"Thank you."
Clark held the octagonal metal piece in his palm, muttering softly, "I will definitely take good care of it, I swear."
After dinner, Clark suggested to Eric that they take a photo.
"What kind of photo?"
"A photo to commemorate Christmas."
Saying that, he placed the camera on the clothes rack in the living room, aimed it at the two of them, and at the moment he pressed the shutter, he used super speed to run towards Eric.
Before the camera exposed, Clark successfully moved next to Eric.
With a "click," the camera successfully captured the moment.
The two took a Christmas-themed photo—Clark wearing a Santa hat, and Eric with a calm expression.
"Done!"
Clark clapped his hands triumphantly.
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